Flowers in the orchard!
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Soil and vegetation management are important tasks for ensuring a proper and healthy fruit growing. Fertile soils are needed which offer all nutrients for the fruit tree. Sufficient water is necessary and is provided by rainfall and also irrigation where needed. Additional vegetation in and between the tree rows might compete with apple trees and is therefore managed by the grower. But it is also of importance to create and maintain plant diversity, especially the provision of herbs which are allowed to flower. Many beneficial organisms like pollinators or predators need sufficient and all-year-round available plants which offer nectar, pollen, prey or shelter.
The EcoOrchard leaflet on perennial flower strips is a major and hopefully useful outcome of our joint cooperation.
 | You can download the leaflet in the following languages: |
During the EcoOrchard-project we tested the establishment and suitability of perennial, inter-row flower mixtures for better pest control in organic orchards in several European countries. We were able to evaluate the success of this management tool under different European fruit growing conditions.The leaflet for practitioners in apple growing gives advice and recommendations for the implementation of such measures.
We are looking forward to receive any comments from your side!
Important experiences on such measures were also made in other research projects. You can find nice information on selection of plants and management advice here:
- In English:Habitat manipulation in agriculture
